Chapter 17: Dawn Execution

Roan was across the table before I saw him move.

Edric caught his arm, and Roan shook him off and stopped on his own, six feet from the Crown Guard, with his chest heaving.

"Let go of him," he said.

The grey cloaks did not let go.

"Under the old law, the council may appoint a regent when the king's judgment is clouded by an unsworn bond," Ansel said.

He had never raised his voice, and he did not now.

"My son has been clouded since the day that girl walked in. I ask for the vote."

"This isn't a vote you can call," Edric said.

"It is the oldest law we have, young man. Check the book."

Edric did.

I watched his face fall as he found the page.

They voted standing.

Sixteen leaders stood for the old king, and fourteen sat.

A boy of thirty looked at the floor as he rose, and I understood that he owed Ansel something.

I understood that all sixteen did.

"The regency is mine until my son's head clears," Ansel said, and he took his gloves from the table and pulled them on one at a time.

Roan stood looking at the guards.

I knew what he could do.

His wolf was clean for the first time in three years, and he could have broken those eight men and gone through the doors.

"Roan," I said.

"I know."

His hands were open at his sides.

"If I draw on my own council in my own hall, they'll all stand for him by noon."

His jaw was working.

"Take me to my office," he said to the guards. "I'll go on my own feet."

That was the hardest thing I ever watched him do.